I believe at the time that Carrie probably thought they were "really" electing Tommy and that she as his date was kind of "along for the ride" that she got elected because she was with a guy in the "cool clique"

She made the dress in which she spent too much time and passion, she went to the prom with the hottest guy at school, as soon as she arrived, everyone was giving her compliments. She was too busy living her dream that she probably didn't care to think if it was all a set-up.

"yeah..how about that, sounds like they had too many old-fashioneds"

Even if the votes were tapered with, Carrie (and her allies) would still be in disbelief that her whole peer group changed overnight due to looking good at the prom . Suspension of disbelief on this one.
In general, there was something somewhat too quick in her transformation, starting with her being fooled by being asked out by the class hunk
Honestly, I think Carrie was on such a high from the night she and Tommy had already shared a kiss by this point that she was somewhat clouded to the goings-on around her.

I guess Carrie became deluded like the rest of us then. While it wasn't anticipated that she would become crowned PQ, the announcement and Carrie's transformation was enough for many of the others to drop their guard and judgments about who they thought she was. One could also ask why didn't the teachers that were monitoring the event think something was suspect too? If they had questioned it themselves, that could have been seen a controversial action by them, as if they didn't want Carrie to win. And it was such a bizarre prank, I doubt that attempting to investigate that a bucket of blood was going to be dropped on them from above was something they would have had time to figure out. Only Sun Snell was onto something and she got chucked out by Collins before she could point it out. Even the teachers were happy for Carrie.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

Artistic license or there not being enough time to show what Carrie's actually thinking unless they include a line like:
"whats going on, Tommy, this seems strange"

I wondered the same when I watched the film. WHY wasn't Carrie at least a little suspicious?!
These were the same kids that had teased & tormented her all her life, yet magically they vote her Prom Queen and are all wildly clapping (for what seemed like 10 minutes!) and happy for her?
Those that mention it about Tommy, I agree.
In the novel, Carrie thinks briefly that most of the acceptance of her presence is because of Tommy.
But still.it seemed SO unrealistic that she wasn't a tad uneasy. Even after watching Sue Snell try to get on stage!
I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

Young teenagers, young girls specifically can be a lot more impressionable than modern movies allow them to be. If she saw Chris come up to her, apologizing, she would believe it.
Get off your soapbox while I play you a tune on the tiniest violin.

well..
teenagers Carrie's age are still kind of gullible and wishing to be accepted. Their skepticism does not evolve until college age and college courses where the are encouraged to think about the box and go against what the others are doing for the sake of 'norm'.
please don't tell me you're a social worker. and if you are, you should
quit. now.
Oh God. Fortune
vomits
on my eiderdown once more.

This message has been deleted.

Kerry is a good movie.

Yeah but usually during prom, they vote separately
That's what I always thought. In any case, it served the plot for them to win as a couple.

Yeah but usually during prom, they vote separately. For instance, Tommy could have won prom king but somebody else, besides Carrie, could be voted prom queen, unless Carrie is voted prom queen separately.
I woke up this way

However, it doesn't explain why everybody would be applauding, instead of some students being unhappy with the winning vote. I don't recall if all the students applauded It's not realistic to think all of the ones who disliked Carrie would realize what fools they had been, and suddenly be in such great spirit about it.

I would say IY, that people would have just done what came naturally to them. Not everyone would have hated Carrie, they just wouldn't have had anything to do with her. The transformation seen in Carrie and the occasion of the event, would have meant that most spirits would have been high. It was only a select few of Carrie's classmates that knew of the prank
perhaps they didn't applaud, or if they did, it would have been with the anticipation of what was going to happen
and Tommy was also popular with most. The applause would have been for him also. Carrie just went with the result, as strange and bizarre as it may have appeared; but still justified due to Tommy being on her arm.
What was the alternative for her, refuse the honor and act indignant about it? That would have been strange, considering she was wanting to be accepted and fit in.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

Well, that was blunt. Yes, that was the point of my original topic, until somebody explained that the winners were both the boy/girl.
knight-in-black-leather already mentioned this, that it would make sense to Carrie (and Tommy), since they figured the majority would vote for Tommy (by default), regardless of what girl was his date.
However, it doesn't explain why everybody would be applauding, instead of some students being unhappy with the winning vote. I don't recall if all the students applauded It's not realistic to think all of the ones who disliked Carrie would realize what fools they had been, and suddenly be in such great spirit about it.

Carry was a damn fool. She should have known good and well that those cruel bastards had something up their sleeves. These were the same people that tormented her for starting her period and I think it's safe to assume that they had been treating her like a sac of sh!t for a while before then but for some reason she got it in her head to believe that these same ass holes suddenly turned a new leaf because she put on a dress and some lipstick.
She looked like a total dumbass, going up there to get crowned for prom queen, like she really thought all of those people actually voted for her crazy ass and instead ended up getting blood dumped on her head and standing on that stage looking like a jackass. Even her mother tried to warn her ("They're all going to laugh at you") but she just didn't listen. Probably the only time her mother said something that made sense and she didn't listen.
I woke up this way

I thought watching 9/11 on TV was strange.

I swear I read in the '90s that some schools had started to randomly select a prom king and queen. That would have been more believable, but I don't think that was common back in the '70s.

I forgot

you think that's it, due to Tommy? I could see that better if he was the Prom King. So, the girl who was very popular and would have won, if not for the fake votes, got lost in the mist of it. And the whole class is clapping (no sign of surprise) for Carrie, as if she was a frontrunner. I don't know, sounds sketchy. But thanks
Actually, Tommy was prom king. I know in some movies, the students vote for king and queen as individuals, but in "Carrie" the voting was set up for couples. In other words, if the students wanted Tommy for prom king and say Norma (girl with the baseball hat) for queen, it couldn't happen because they were not at the prom together (as a couple) and there was no ballot option for them.
Here's the ballot scene (it's right at the beginning)
Take care
This is a faithful sayingJesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The Prom King and Queen, were voted in as couples IY. Since Tommy was still popular, Carrie went along for the ride. It was all rigged anyway and in the book, they only won by one vote.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

"I could see that better if he was Prom King."

Tommy WAS Prom King. How could you have missed that?

'Technically, it wouldn't have to be all of her peers, just enough for a majority win. I always assumed Carrie easily accepted winning prom queen because she knew Tommy was really popular and had a lot of friends. She basically won by default because she was his date.'
you think that's it, due to Tommy? I could see that better if he was the Prom King. So, the girl who was very popular and would have won, if not for the fake votes, got lost in the mist of it. And the whole class is clapping (no sign of surprise) for Carrie, as if she was a frontrunner. I don't know, sounds sketchy. But thanks

Even if the votes were tapered with, Carrie (and her allies) would still be in disbelief that her whole peer group changed overnight due to looking good at the prom . Suspension of disbelief on this one.
Technically, it wouldn't have to be all of her peers, just enough for a majority win. I always assumed Carrie easily accepted winning prom queen because she knew Tommy was really popular and had a lot of friends. She basically won by default because she was his date.
In general, there was something somewhat too quick in her transformation, starting with her being fooled by being asked out by the class hunk
But she wasn't fooled, which is why she initially ran away when Tommy asked her and why she told Miss Collins they were just trying to trick her again. Plus Tommy's intentions were good.
Ironically, it was Miss Collins' talk to boost Carrie's self-esteem that most likely allowed Carrie to finally accept his invitation, which is why Carrie later kills her - she felt Collins was in on the prank because she helped convince her to go to the prom.
Take care
This is a faithful sayingJesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.